CN116767049A

CN116767049A - Device, system and vehicle for providing ventilation

Info

Publication number: CN116767049A
Application number: CN202211437719.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: G·L·费尔瑟姆; D·杰里安; J·德博
Original assignee: Rivian IP Holdings LLC
Current assignee: Rivian IP Holdings LLC
Priority date: 2022-03-17
Filing date: 2022-11-17
Publication date: 2023-09-19
Also published as: US20230294479A1; EP4245580A1; US12005760B2

Abstract

The present application relates to a device, a system and a vehicle for providing ventilation. Various disclosed embodiments include exemplary devices, systems, and vehicles for performing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) functions on an area remote from an HVAC system. In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes: a seat having a first conduit portion including a first end; a second pipe portion couplable to the first pipe portion; and a third conduit portion couplable to the first conduit portion. The second duct portion is connected at a first end to the air supply source and at a second end to the first end of the first duct portion. The third duct portion includes an air outlet configured to guide air received from the air supply source to a rear direction of the seat.

Description

Device, system and vehicle for providing ventilation

Introduction to the application

The present disclosure relates to vehicle climate control. The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

In vehicles having cargo spaces or areas without direct heating/cooling, convection of air, such as with roof fans, rather than conditioning, may be used to control temperature. These solutions do not heat or cool the air. For heating and/or cooling in the region separated from the cabin by the wall/door/enclosure, it is necessary to use completely independent heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.

Disclosure of Invention

Various disclosed embodiments include exemplary devices, systems, and vehicles for performing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) functions on an area remote from an HVAC system.

In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes: a seat having a first conduit portion including a first end; a second pipe portion couplable to the first pipe portion; and a third conduit portion couplable to the first conduit portion. The second duct portion is connected at a first end to the air supply source and at a second end to the first end of the first duct portion. The third duct portion includes a vent (e.g., an air outlet) configured to direct air received from the air supply source in a rear direction of the seat.

In another exemplary embodiment, a system includes: an interface device configured to receive instructions from a user; an air supply unit; a controller configured to command the air supply unit to output air at a specific temperature in response to the received instruction; a seat having a first conduit portion including a first end; a second duct portion connected at a first end to the air supply and at a second end to the first end of the first duct portion; and a third conduit portion configured to be connected to the first conduit portion. The third duct portion includes a vent (e.g., an air outlet) configured to direct air received from the air supply source in a rear direction of the seat.

In another exemplary embodiment, a vehicle includes: a cabin; a cargo compartment disposed at the rear of the cabin; an interface device configured to receive instructions from a user; an air supply unit; a controller configured to command the air supply unit to output air at a specific temperature in response to the received instruction; a seat disposed in the cabin, wherein the seat comprises a first conduit portion having a first end; a second duct portion connected at a first end to the air supply and at a second end to the first end of the first duct portion; and a third pipe portion connected to the first pipe portion. The third duct portion includes a vent (e.g., an air outlet) configured to direct air received from the air supply source in a rear direction of the seat.

The above summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

Drawings

Exemplary embodiments are shown in the referenced figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than limiting.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary vehicle having a combined cabin and cargo compartment heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary HVAC system for use in the vehicle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of an HVAC system for use in the vehicle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a component of the HVAC system of FIG. 3.

Fig. 5 is an x-ray partial perspective view of the component of fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a diverter included in the component of fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the diverter of fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the rear component of the component of fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is another perspective view of the vehicle of fig. 1.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings generally indicate like elements.

Detailed Description

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, like numerals generally identify like components unless context indicates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein.

By way of non-limiting overview and referring to fig. 1-5, in various embodiments, an exemplary vehicle 40 includes a cabin 42, a cargo compartment 44 disposed aft of the cabin 42 (i.e., in a direction opposite the front of the vehicle), and a seat and cargo compartment heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system 50. Cargo compartment 44 may be other areas where ventilation, cooling, and/or heating is desired, such as, but not limited to, seating areas, interior or exterior sleeping areas, living areas, heating units, cooling units (food/beverage coolers), work areas, storage areas, and the like. The HVAC system 50 may provide heating, ventilation, or cooling to both the seats 80 and the cargo compartment 44 located in the cabin 42. The HVAC system 50 may include an interface device 62, an air supply, and a controller 60. The air supply may be an HVAC unit 68. The controller 60 is configured to command the HVAC unit 68 to output air at a particular temperature, recirculate air, and/or pump outside air in response to instructions received by the interface device 62. The cabin 42 includes a first conduit portion 94 disposed within the seat 80. The first conduit portion 94 includes a first end. The cabin 42 also includes a second duct portion 82 that is connected at a first end to the HVAC unit 68 and at a second end to a first end of the first duct portion 94. The cabin 42 further comprises a third conduit portion 88 connected to the distal end of the first conduit portion 94. The third duct portion 88 includes an air outlet 90 configured to direct air received from the HVAC unit 68 toward a rear portion of the vehicle 40, such as, but not limited to, the cargo compartment 44, in a rear direction of the seat 80 (e.g., in a direction opposite the direction of the seat back). The exhaust port 90 may be connected to the third conduit portion 88 via a swivel device or mechanism such as, but not limited to, a hinge, pivot pin, or the like.

By way of non-limiting example, in various embodiments, the vehicle 40 may include a motor vehicle driven by wheels and/or tracks, such as, but not limited to, an automobile, truck, sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), van, or the like. By way of further non-limiting example, in various embodiments, the vehicle 40 may include a marine vessel such as, but not limited to, a boat, ship, submarine, submersible, autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), or the like. By way of further non-limiting example, in various embodiments, the vehicle 40 may include an aircraft, such as, but not limited to, a fixed wing aircraft, a rotary wing aircraft, and a lighter-than-air (LTA) aircraft.

By way of non-limiting example, in various embodiments, the HVAC unit 68 includes a heat exchanger, a blower motor, an evaporator coil, and a thermostat. HVAC systems are well known in the art and no further explanation is required by those skilled in the art to understand the disclosed subject matter.

As shown in fig. 2, in various embodiments, the vehicle 40 includes an HVAC system 50 having various electrical components. The HVAC system 50 can include a controller 60 in electrical/signal communication with an interface device 62, an optional fan 64, an HVAC unit 68, an optional ventilation motor 92, and an optional diverter motor 112. The controller 60 receives instructions/signals from the interface device 62. The instructions/signals may include heating, ventilation, and/or cooling requests. In response to the command/signal, the controller 60 accordingly sends command instructions to the HVAC unit 68, the fan 64, the ventilation motor 92, and/or the diverter motor 112.

In various embodiments and by way of example only and not limitation, interface device 62 may include mechanical buttons, switches, voice recognition functionality, gesture recognition functionality, or may include selectable graphical user interface features presented on a vehicle display device or via an application executable by a personal electronic device. The interface device 62 allows the vehicle operator to select heating, ventilation, and/or cooling modes of operation of the vehicle seat 80 and/or cargo compartment 44. The interface 62 may also include a control switch located on or near the seat 80. The interface 62 may be directly connected to the fan 64, the ventilation motor 92, and/or the diverter motor 112. The control switches are configured to activate the fan 64, the ventilation motor 92, and/or the diverter motor 112.

As shown in fig. 3-9, in various embodiments, the exemplary cabin 42 includes seating and cargo ventilation 52. The seat and cargo ventilation device 52 includes a seat 80 having a seat portion 86 and a seat back portion 84. The seat 80 is slidably attached to the seat base 70, or the seat 80 and seat base 70 are slidably attached to the floor of the cabin 42. The seat 80 and/or the seat base 70 includes a first conduit portion 94 of the seat and cargo ventilation device 52. The seat and cargo ventilation device 52 also includes a second conduit portion 82 and a third conduit portion 88. The second duct portion 82 is connected at a proximal end to the HVAC unit 68 of the vehicle 40. The distal end of the second conduit portion 82 is connected to the proximal end of the first conduit portion 94. The third conduit portion 88 is connected to the distal end of the first conduit portion 94. The third conduit portion 88 may extend distally and/or vertically to the vent 90. The third conduit portion 88 may be attached to or placed in a rear bulkhead of the cabin 42. Which separates the cabin 42 from the cargo compartment 44.

In various embodiments, the interface device 62 may include an Occupancy Detection Sensor (ODS) 74 that detects a person sitting on the seat 80. The ODS 74 can communicate the seat occupancy detection information to the controller 60 in the form of an activation signal or directly to the fan 64, the ventilation motor 92, and/or the diverter motor 112.

As shown in fig. 5, in various embodiments, the exemplary first conduit portion 94 may include an extendable base portion 106, a diverter 96, and a vent portion having an extendable and/or flexible first vertical portion 102, a seat base outlet 98, an extendable and/or flexible second vertical portion 104, and a seat back outlet 100. The base portion 106 is coupled to the proximal end of the diverter 96 at a distal end and to the second conduit portion 82. As the seat 80 and/or seat base 70 are moved proximally and distally within the cabin 42, either manually or by a seat motor, the base portion 106 expands or compresses, thereby maintaining the connection between the second conduit portion 82 and the diverter 96.

Still referring to fig. 5, in various embodiments, the diverter 96 includes a rear port connected to the proximal end of the third conduit portion 88. Diverter 96 also includes a vertical port configured to attach to the bottom of first vertical portion 102. The seat base outlet 98 extends from the top end of the first upright portion 102. The second vertical portion 104 extends perpendicularly from the first vertical portion 102 and is attached to the seatback outlet 100. When the seat portion 86 and the seatback portion 84 are tilted, either manually or via a seat motor, the first vertical portion 102 and the second vertical portion 104 flex/extend.

As shown in fig. 7, in various embodiments, the diverter 96 includes a hinged flapper valve (flap) 110 rotatably attached to an inner wall of the diverter 96. The hinged flapper valve 110 may be positioned to direct air from the inlet side of the diverter 96 through either the vertical outlet side or the distal outlet end only, or through both the vertical outlet side and the distal outlet end. The hinged flapper valve 110 may be attached to a diverter motor 112 configured to receive instructions from the controller 60 or power from a switch controlled by the controller 60 or the interface device 62. The diverter motor 112 may be an electric servo motor or similar device. The diverter motor 112 may be located external to the diverter 96 with the shaft extending into the diverter 96 for rotational contact with the flapper valve 110. The hinged flapper valve 110 may also be attached to a manual lever located outside of the diverter 96 that is easily operated by an operator of the vehicle 30 while sitting in the seat 80. The diverter 96 may include other types of diverter valves such as, but not limited to, rotary leaf valves, and the like. Steering gears are well known in the art and no further explanation is required by those skilled in the art to understand the disclosed subject matter.

In various embodiments, the fan 64 is located within the second conduit portion 82, the base portion 106, the diverter 96, or the third conduit portion 88. The fan 64 receives power via a switch controlled by the controller 60 or the interface device 62.

As shown in fig. 8 and 9, in various embodiments, an exhaust port 90 is rotatably attached to the distal end of the third conduit portion 88. The exhaust port 90 may be mounted to the third conduit portion 88 at a pivot point such as, but not limited to, a pivot pin or hinge. The exhaust port 90 may also include a rotatable vertical and/or horizontal grill. The grille may comprise means for manually operating the grille. The exhaust vent 90 may also include a motor 92 attached to the grill. A motor 92 may be coupled between the third duct portion 88 and the exhaust port 90 to rotate the exhaust port 90 about a pivot point to direct the flow of air exiting the exhaust port 90. The motor 92 may be controlled by the controller 60, a switch controlled by the controller 60 and/or the interface device 62. The motor 92 may be an electric servo motor or similar device.

In various embodiments, the vent 90 may direct air to the cargo compartment 44 when a door between the cabin 42 and the cargo compartment 44 is opened. The door and vent 90 may include mechanical, electromechanical, or magnetic means that cause the vent 90 to rotate from directing air into the cabin 42 to directing air into the cargo compartment 44, or cause the vent 90 to open or close depending on the position of the door.

Referring back to fig. 3 and 4, in various embodiments, the additional vent 72 is located on a vertical portion of the third conduit portion 88. The additional vents 72 may be directed toward the passenger area/seat located in the cabin 42. The additional vents 72 may include a grille toward the passenger area or include a grille that can be manually or automatically controlled to direct air toward the passenger area. In various embodiments, the additional vent 72 may include a vent motor (similar to the vent motor 92) for controlling the operation of the grille of the additional vent 72. The grille may comprise means for manually operating the grille. The grille of the additional vent 72 may be positioned to block airflow, allow unrestricted airflow, and allow airflow at any angle from the unrestricted airflow. The ventilation motor for the additional vent 72 may be controlled by the controller 60 and/or the interface device 62, which may include an OBS located in the passenger seat.

In various embodiments, the passenger seat may include all of the components described above with respect to seat 80. The ventilation component of the passenger seat may be controlled simultaneously with the ventilation component of the seat 80 or may be controlled separately from the ventilation component of the seat 80. The controller 60 may control the flow of air to a single bypass to both the driver seat 80 and the passenger seat or to separate ventilation components to the driver seat 80 and the passenger seat.

In various embodiments, the passenger seat may include an ODS for sending the seat occupancy detection information in the form of an activation signal to the controller 60 or directly to a fan (similar to fan 64), a ventilation motor (similar to ventilation motor 92), and/or a diverter motor (similar to diverter motor 112).

Those skilled in the art will recognize that at least a portion of the controller 60, interface device 62, components, devices, and/or processes described herein may be integrated into a data processing system. Those skilled in the art will recognize that data processing systems typically include one or more of the following: a system unit housing, a video display device, memory (such as volatile or non-volatile memory), a processor (such as a microprocessor or digital signal processor), a computing entity (such as an operating system), drivers, graphical user interfaces and applications, one or more interactive devices (e.g., touch pads, touch screens, etc.), and/or a control system including feedback loops and control motors (e.g., feedback for sensing position and/or speed; control motors for moving and/or adjusting components and/or amounts). The data processing system may be implemented with suitable commercially available components, such as those typically found in data computing/communication and/or network computing/communication systems.

As used in the foregoing/following disclosure, the term controller may refer to a collection of one or more components arranged in a particular manner, or a collection of one or more general-purpose components that may be configured to operate in a particular manner at one or more particular points in time and/or that are also configured to operate in one or more additional manners at one or more additional times. For example, the same hardware or the same portion of hardware may be configured/reconfigured in sequence/parallel time as a first type of controller (e.g., at a first time), a second type of controller (e.g., at a second time, which may coincide with, overlap, or be after the first time in some cases), and/or a third type of controller (e.g., at a third time, which may coincide with, overlap, or be after the first time and/or the second time in some cases), and so forth. Reconfigurable and/or controllable components (e.g., general purpose processors, digital signal processors, field programmable gate arrays, etc.) can be configured as a first controller having a first purpose, then as a second controller having a second purpose, then as a third controller having a third purpose, etc. The transition of the reconfigurable and/or controllable components may occur in as little as a few nanoseconds, or may occur over a period of minutes, hours, or days.

In some such examples, when the controller is configured to perform the second purpose, the controller may no longer be able to perform the first purpose until it is reconfigured. The controller can switch between configurations as different components/modules in as little as a few nanoseconds. The controller may be dynamically reconfigured, e.g., the reconfiguration of the controller from a first controller to a second controller may occur just when the second controller is needed. The controller may be reconfigured in stages, e.g., portions of the first controller that are no longer needed may be reconfigured into the second controller even before the first controller completes its operations. Such reconfiguration may occur automatically or may occur through prompting by an external source, whether the source is another component, instruction, signal, condition, external stimulus, or the like.

For example, a central processor of a controller or the like may operate at various times as a means/module for displaying graphics on a screen, a means/module for writing data to a storage medium, a means/module for receiving user input, and a means/module for multiplying two large prime numbers by configuring its logic gate according to its instructions. Such reconfiguration may be invisible to the naked eye and may include, in some implementations, activation, deactivation, and/or rerouting of various portions of the component (e.g., switching devices, logic gates, inputs, and/or outputs). Thus, in the examples presented in the foregoing/following disclosure, if an example includes or describes a plurality of components/modules, the example includes the possibility that the same hardware may implement more than one of the described components/modules simultaneously or at discrete times or timings. Whether more components/modules, fewer components/modules, or the same number of components/modules are used, the implementation of multiple components/modules is merely an implementation choice and generally does not affect the operation of the components/modules themselves. Accordingly, it should be understood that any recitation of a plurality of discrete components/modules in this disclosure includes implementing these components/modules as any number of underlying components/modules, including, but not limited to, individual components/modules that reconfigure themselves over time to perform the functions of the plurality of components/modules and/or similarly reconfigured plurality of components/modules, and/or dedicated reconfigurable components/modules.

In some cases, one or more components may be referred to herein as "configured to," "configured by," "configurable to," "operable/operable to," "adapted/adaptable," "capable of," "conformable/conformable," and the like. Those skilled in the art will recognize that such terms (e.g., "configured to") generally encompass active state components and/or passive state components and/or standby state components unless the context requires otherwise.

While particular aspects of the present subject matter described herein have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from the subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended to mean "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "comprising" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those with skill in the art that if a class is intended to be a specific number of an introduced claim recitation, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to claims containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. Furthermore, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Further, in those instances where a convention similar to "at least one of A, B and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B and C" would include but not be limited to systems having a alone, B alone, C alone, a and B together, a and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B and C together, etc.). Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that, unless the context dictates otherwise, disjunctive words and/or phrases of two or more alternative terms (whether in the description, claims, or drawings) generally should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "a or B" will generally be understood to include the possibility of "a" or "B" or "a and B".

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments of the devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples. Where such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will be understood by those within the art that each function and/or operation within such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software (e.g., high-level computer programs acting as hardware specifications), firmware, or virtually any one that is limited to the patentable subject matter under 35U.S. C.101. In an embodiment, portions of the subject matter described herein may be implemented via an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), or other integrated format. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that some aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, in whole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in integrated circuits, as limited to one or more computer programs running on one or more computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computer systems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof, with the design of the circuitry and/or writing of the software (e.g., as advanced computer programs with hardware specifications) and/or code for the firmware falling within the skill of one of skill in the art in light of this disclosure. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein are capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that an illustrative embodiment of the subject matter described herein applies regardless of the particular type of signal bearing media used to actually carry out the distribution. Examples of signal bearing media include, but are not limited to, the following: recordable media such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, compact Discs (CDs), digital Video Discs (DVDs), digital tapes, computer memory, etc.; and transmission media such as digital and/or analog communication media (e.g., fiber optic cables, waveguides, wired communication links, wireless communication links (e.g., transmitters, receivers, transmission logic, reception logic, etc.), and the like.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the operations recited therein can generally be performed in any order with respect to the appended claims. Additionally, while various operational flows are presented in sequences, it should be appreciated that various operations may be performed in other orders than those shown, or may be performed concurrently. Examples of such alternative ordering may include overlapping, staggered, interrupted, reordered, incremented, prepared, supplemented, simultaneous, reversed, or other variant ordering unless the context dictates otherwise. Furthermore, unless the context indicates otherwise, terms such as "responsive to", "associated with" or other past adjectives are generally not intended to exclude such variants.

While the disclosed subject matter has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications may be made to the subject matter without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter, which is set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a seat comprising a first conduit portion having a first end;

a second conduit portion configured to be connected to an air supply source at a first end and to the first end of the first conduit portion at a second end; and

a third conduit portion configured to connect to the first conduit portion, wherein the third conduit portion includes a vent configured to direct air received from the air supply source into a rearward direction of the seat.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vent is configured to direct air into the cargo compartment.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vent comprises a rotating device configured to position the vent in a plurality of directions.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the rotation means comprises a motor configured to control the position of the vent in response to signals received from a device selected from a controller and an interface device.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first conduit portion comprises:

a ventilation portion provided in a position of the seat selected from a backrest portion and a seat portion; and

a diverter configured to divert air received from the air supply into one of the ventilation portion and the third duct portion.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the diverter comprises:

a hinged valve flap; and

a motor configured to control the position of the hinged flap in response to a signal received from a device selected from the group consisting of a controller and an interface device.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a fan disposed at a location selected from the first conduit portion and the third conduit portion, wherein the fan is configured to cause air movement in response to a signal received from a device selected from a controller and an interface device.

8. A system, the system comprising:

an interface device configured to receive instructions from a user;

an air supply unit;

a controller configured to command the air supply unit to output air at a specific temperature in response to the received instruction;

a seat comprising a first conduit portion having a first end;

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the vent is configured to direct air into the cargo compartment.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the vent comprises a rotating device configured to position the vent in a plurality of directions.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the rotating means comprises a motor configured to control the position of the vent in response to a signal received from a device selected from a controller and an interface device.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the first conduit portion comprises:

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the diverter comprises:

a hinged valve flap; and

a motor configured to control the position of the diverter in response to signals received from a device selected from the group consisting of a controller and an interface device.

14. The system of claim 8, further comprising a fan disposed at a location selected from the first conduit portion and the third conduit portion, wherein the fan is configured to cause air movement in response to a signal received from a device selected from a controller and an interface device.

15. A vehicle, the vehicle comprising:

a cabin;

a cargo hold provided at the cabin rear;

an interface device configured to receive instructions from a user;

an air supply unit;

a seat disposed in the cabin, wherein the seat includes a first conduit portion having a first end;

16. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the vent is configured to direct air into the cargo compartment.

17. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the vent comprises a motor configured to control a position of the vent in response to a signal received from a device selected from a controller and the interface device.

18. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the first conduit portion comprises:

19. The vehicle of claim 18, wherein the diverter comprises:

a hinged valve flap; and

20. The vehicle of claim 15, further comprising a fan disposed at a location selected from the first duct portion and the third duct portion, wherein the fan is configured to cause air movement in response to a signal received from a device selected from a controller and an interface device.